Garden Fest 2014 at the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens

David Meaux and Jay Ducote

The beautiful Botanical Gardens at Burden will be celebrating its grounds with Garden Fest again in on June 21, 2014! If you've never gotten the chance to walk through the gardens, this will be the perfect opportunity! The LSU AgCenter has a full morning of activities lined up for everyone. From hayrides to a cocktail contest, Garden Fest has it all!

I've actually had the pleasure of judging the cocktail contest the past two years. Mason's Grill always brings their A game for sure, and the other bartenders like George from Doe's or Mary from Bistro Byronz never disappoint either. The Louisiana rum distilleries also have a great time at Garden Fest. To the right is myself with David Meaux from Rank Wildcat Spirits, makers of Sweet Crude Rum from last year's Garden Fest. I'm sure the folks from Rougaroux, Bayou, and Old New Orleans will also be there as well!

Below is the schedule of events for the day. It is going to be an exciting time at Burden. Go ahead and mark your calendar now to come out and enjoy the festivities!

June 21, 2014
7:30am-1pm: Hayride fresh food tours
7:30-9:30am: Omelets served by the Louisiana Egg Commission and The Louisiana Dept. of
                       Agriculture and Forestry
9am-1pm: Bloody Mary samples provided by Mason's Grill
10-11am: The Louisiana Culinary Institute and the East Baton Rouge Parish Extension Office will
                 offer samples of dishes prepared from vegetables produced at the LSU AgCenter Botanic
                 Gardens at Burden. The tastings will include recipes and nutritional information for each
                 selection.
10am-1pm: Baton Rouge Music Studios and Visit Baton Rouge present Singer-Songwriter
                    Showcase:
                    The performance is open to musicians of all ages who can accompany themselves on
                    guitar, keyboard or any other instrument. Pianos will be provided by Baton Rouge Music
                    Studio. Songs do not have to be original, but original songs are encouraged. In addition,
                    the LSU AgCenter Dairy Store will have ice cream available for purchase.
11am-Noon: The Garden Fest Cocktail Contest: visitors can sample concoctions made from
                      Louisiana spirits.
Ongoing: Food companies in the LSU AgCenter Food Incubator also will offer samples of their new
                 foods and beverages.
                 Visitors are invited to bring their best tomatoes from their gardens to enter in the
                 outstanding tomato contest.
                 LSU AgCenter experts will conduct a plant health clinic and diagnose problems with plant
                 specimens visitors bring to them.

Admission to the event is $10 for adults, $5 for 4-21 year olds. Children under 3 will be admitted at no charge. Burden is located on Essen Lane off I-10 in Baton Rouge.